4-H Youth Program Volunteer a ‘Hometown Hero’

Breanne Duesler, of Ames, was not only honored as one of our "Hometown Heroes"-she was recently honored by her peers as well.

Breanne was recognized as an outstanding 4-H volunteer for her work with the 4-H Youth Development Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. She has volunteered with the organization for the past three years after she made her own experiences as a 4-H youth member and continues to share her knowledge and love of horses without having children of her own in the program.

In addition to coaching the junior 4-H horse quiz bowl, Breanne also mentors local youth and provides horse-riding lessons.

As part of the “Hometown Heroes” series, we’ve partnered with County Waste, Latham Ford, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region and Awards by Walsh to celebrate local unsung heroes for their good deeds and honorable work.

We asked Breanne a few questions. Here’s what he had to say:

Q: What inspires you to volunteer with 4-H?

A: I've grown up in 4H from the time I was 5. I've been a part of 4-H and all it has to offer. So when I aged out of 4-H there was no question on if I would move on to volunteer or not. I grew up with awesome mentors and I want to be able to inspire kids to remain in agricultural aspects of life and be a part of all it has to offer.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of what you do?

A: The most rewarding part of what I do is seeing kids succeed. I have no kids of my own, but if you ask anybody who knows me they will say that I am very proud of "my kids" and all their accomplishments, as small as getting back on a horse when they fall off to as big as competing at a regional level and being proud of what they have accomplished.

Q: What's the most challenging thing about what you do?

A: Not much about what I do is challenging. I consider it a testament to how I've been raised, the equal amount of fun and work, helping kids realize that they don't need to be handed everything to be successful. It's okay to work for what you want in life.

Q: Do you consider yourself a 'hero?' Why or why not?

A: Absolutely not, reason being I don't do the impossible. I give my kids the confidence and the tools to succeed in horses. I am always there when they need help and each of them knows I'll be at every event possible for them and whenever they need. I'm simply a role model, a friend.